U.S. patent application number 16/791682 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-23 for system for monitoring offender during correctional supervisory program.
The applicant listed for this patent is GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Stephen Lee Hodge.
Application Number | 20200234560 16/791682 |
Document ID | 20200234560 / US20200234560 |
Family ID | 62235094 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-23 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200234560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hodge; Stephen Lee |
July 23, 2020 |
SYSTEM FOR MONITORING OFFENDER DURING CORRECTIONAL SUPERVISORY
PROGRAM
Abstract
The present disclosure provides details of a system for
monitoring an offender during a correctional supervisory program.
The system includes an offender communication device that transmit
and receive communications via a communication and monitoring
center. The offender communication device include a smart phone or
tablet that obtains identity information including biometric
information from an offender before a communication is transmitted
or received. The offender communication device also stores data
including metadata, metrics, or content of a communication and
transmits the stored data to the communication and monitoring
center. The communication and monitoring center transmits and
receives communications from the offender communication device and
another communication device. Further, the communication and
monitoring center provides monitoring functionality to record a
communication and determine that a location of an offender is in an
authorized location based on rules and requirements of the
correctional supervisory program.
Inventors: |
Hodge; Stephen Lee; (Aubrey,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORPORATION |
Reston |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62235094 |
Appl. No.: |
16/791682 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15997203 |
Jun 4, 2018 |
10565851 |
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16791682 |
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15371525 |
Dec 7, 2016 |
9990826 |
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15997203 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 21/22 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/22 20060101
G08B021/22 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A monitoring system for remotely monitoring an offender in a
correction supervisory program, the monitoring system comprising:
an identity database that stores identity data of the offender; a
location database that stores a region associated with the
offender; a communication processing server configured to: detect a
communication attempt involving a device assigned to the offender;
receive location information from the device; determine whether an
offender location is within the region based on the received
location information; receive identification information from the
device; verify an identity of the user as being the offender based
on the received identification information; and process the
communication attempt based on the verifying of the offender
location and the verifying of the identity.
3. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the communication
processing server is further configured to deny the communication
attempt in response to determining that the offender location is
outside the region.
4. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the communication
processing server is further configured to deny the communication
attempt in response to failing to verify the identity of the user
as being the offender.
5. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the received location
information includes Global Positioning System (GPS)
coordinates.
6. The monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the region is defined
by a series of GPS coordinates that define a boundary of the
region.
7. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the determining
includes: comparing the received location information to the GPS
coordinates that define the region; and determining whether the
received location information falls between, or outside, the GPS
coordinates that define the region.
8. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the processing of the
communication attempt includes connecting the communication attempt
in response to determining that the offender location is within the
region and verifying the identity of the user as being the
offender.
9. An apparatus for remotely monitoring an offender, comprising:
one or more databases that stores identity data of the offender, an
individual authorized to associate with the offender, and a region
associated with the offender; one or more processors configured to:
detect a communication attempt involving a wireless communication
device assigned to the offender; and in response to the detecting
of the communication attempt: receive location information from the
wireless communication device; receive user identification
information from the wireless communication device; determine
whether a location of the wireless communication device is within
the region based on the received location information; identifying
the user based on the received user identification information; and
connect or deny the communication attempt based on the determining
and the identifying.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors
are further configured to receive second party contact information
from the communication attempt.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors
are further configured to: compare the received second party
contact information to the stored individual authorized to
associate with the offender; and connect or deny the communication
attempt based on the comparing.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the received identification
information includes biometric data.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the identifying of the user
includes: analyzing the biometric data; comparing the biometric
data to the stored identity data; and determining whether the
biometric data is a statistical match to the stored identity data
based on the comparing.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: receiving
communication content data in response to connecting the
communication attempt; analyzing the communication content data;
and disconnecting the communication based on the analyzing.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, the analyzing including: performing
speech recognition on the received communication content data to
generate a communication transcript; reviewing the transcript for
prohibited keywords.
16. A method for processing communication attempts by an offender,
the method comprising: storing identity data and an authorized
region associated with the offender; detecting a communication
attempt involving a wireless communication device assigned to the
offender; receiving location information from the wireless
communication device; receiving user identification information
from the wireless communication device; determining whether a
location of the wireless communication device is within the
authorized region based on the received location information;
identifying the user based on the received user identification
information; connecting or denying the communication attempt based
on at least one of the determining or the identifying.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising extracting second
party contact information from the communication attempt.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: storing an
authorized individual with which the offender is permitted to
communicate; comparing the received second party contact
information to the stored authorized individual; and connecting or
denying the communication attempt based on the comparing.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the received identification
information includes biometric data.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: analyzing the
biometric data; comparing the biometric data to the stored identity
data; and determining whether the biometric data is a statistical
match to the stored identity data based on the comparing.
21. The method of claim 16, further comprising: receiving
communication content data in response to the connecting the
communication attempt; generating a transcript of the communication
based on the communication content data; reviewing the transcript
for prohibited keywords.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/997,203 filed on Jun. 4, 2018, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/371,525 filed
on Dec. 7, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,990,826), each of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The disclosure relates to a system for monitoring offenders
during correctional supervisory program.
Background
[0003] Most offenders go through a supervisory program(s) in which
a series of steps are performed under supervision of a correctional
system. Examples of these programs may include post sentencing
pre-custody supervision, work release, pre-parole officer
appointment, halfway house assignment, parole period required as a
condition of release, or probation as a condition for release.
These supervisory programs are designed to enhance public safety as
well as improve the recidivism rates of offenders. Supervisory
programs typically provide a very high level of supervision which
include periodic visits to jurisdiction offices or calls to case
officers.
[0004] Unfortunately, the lack of necessary resources in certain
jurisdictions and the overwhelming number of cases dedicated to a
parole officer or case officer places a heavy burden on them and
negatively impacts the efficiency of the current supervision and
monitoring system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the
present disclosure and, together with the description, further
serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and to enable a
person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the
embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communication
system, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a communication
center, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an application server,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile device,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart diagram of a method for
monitoring an offender during a correctional supervisory program
using communication system of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system, according to exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0012] The present disclosure will be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers
indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally,
the left most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing
in which the reference number first appears.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following Detailed Description refers to accompanying
drawings to illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with the
disclosure. References in the Detailed Description to "one
exemplary embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," "an example
exemplary embodiment," etc., indicate that the exemplary embodiment
described may include a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic, but every exemplary embodiment may not necessarily
include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic.
Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same
exemplary embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an
exemplary embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled
in the relevant art(s) to affect such feature, structure, or
characteristic in connection with other exemplary embodiments
whether or not explicitly described.
[0014] The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for
illustrative purposes, and are not limiting. Other exemplary
embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the
exemplary embodiments within the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. Therefore, the Detailed Description is not meant to
limit the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined
only in accordance with the following claims and their
equivalents.
[0015] Embodiments may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuits),
firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Embodiments may
also be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable
medium, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A
machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or
transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a
computing device). For example, a machine-readable medium may
include read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM);
magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory
devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of
propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital
signals, etc.), and others. Further, firmware, software, routines,
instructions may be described herein as performing certain actions.
However, it should be appreciated that such descriptions are merely
for convenience and that such actions in fact result from computing
devices, processors, controllers, or other devices executing the
firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc. Further, any of
the implementation variations may be carried out by a general
purpose computer, as described below.
[0016] For purposes of this discussion, any reference to the term
"module" shall be understood to include at least one of software,
firmware, and hardware (such as one or more circuit, microchip, or
device, or any combination thereof), and any combination thereof.
In addition, it will be understood that each module may include
one, or more than one, component within an actual device, and each
component that forms a part of the described module may function
either cooperatively or independently of any other component
forming a part of the module. Conversely, multiple modules
described herein may represent a single component within an actual
device. Further, components within a module may be in a single
device or distributed among multiple devices in a wired or wireless
manner.
[0017] The following Detailed Description of the exemplary
embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the
invention that others can, by applying knowledge of those skilled
in relevant art(s), readily modify and/or adapt for various
applications such exemplary embodiments, without undue
experimentation, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are
intended to be within the meaning and plurality of equivalents of
the exemplary embodiments based upon the teaching and guidance
presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or
terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present
specification is to be interpreted by those skilled in relevant
art(s) in light of the teachings herein.
Overview
[0018] Before offenders enter a controlled environment, such as a
correctional facility or prison, or after offenders are released
from the controlled environment, most go through a supervisory
program(s) in which a series of steps are performed under
supervision of a correctional system. Examples of these programs
may include post sentencing pre-custody supervision, work release,
pre-parole officer appointment, halfway house assignment, parole
period required as a condition of release, or probation as a
condition for release. These supervisory programs are designed to
enhance public safety as well as improve the recidivism rates of
offenders. The programs are tailored to increase an offender's
accountability, provide restitution to the victim, provide
rehabilitative needs for the offender, reduce the cost of
punishment, or ensure that the scarce and costly prison cells are
reserved for those from whom the public needs protection. The
programs also provide jurisdictions with an alternative sentencing
program to ease overcrowding of incarceration facilities. Mainly,
the supervisory programs are focused on the efficient management of
offenders within the community.
[0019] Typically, the supervisory programs provide a very high
level of supervision including the monitoring of the offender, the
enforcement of ordered probationary conditions, and the opportunity
of self-improvement and rehabilitation. Offenders are usually
required to make periodic visits to jurisdiction offices to report
to their designated case officer. Having an offender make periodic
visits to jurisdiction offices serves several purposes. The visits
demonstrate the offender's ability to keep schedule, determine the
location of the parolee, allow the officer to observe the look and
demeanor of the offender, and allow for an opportunity for the
offender to be tested for substance abuse. Most visits end with
arranging a follow up appointment.
[0020] Unfortunately, the lack of necessary resources in certain
jurisdictions and the overwhelming number of cases dedicated to a
parole officer places a heavy burden on them and negatively impacts
the efficiency of the current supervision and monitoring system. At
times, officers may have a case load of as many as several hundred
cases. Accordingly, the current system of officers personally
supervising and monitoring offenders presents a number of
challenges that are not sufficiently supported for efficient
supervision and monitoring.
[0021] With these concerns in mind, it is preferable to implement a
system for monitoring offenders during a correctional supervisory
program for use by law enforcement personnel who are responsible
for the monitoring and reporting of offenders that have been
released on parole from a correctional facility, placed on
probation, or ordered by a court to be monitored in some form.
Communication System
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of communication system
100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown
by FIG. 1, communication system 100 includes communication center
110 configured to receive and transmit communications between
offender communication device 120 and communication device 130. In
this disclosure, a communication refers one or more of an audio
communication, a video communication, a text communication such as
email, texting, or instant messaging, or a multimedia communication
between two parties. The communication may be either a real-time
communication or a non-real time communication. Communication
center 110 is also configured to transmit instructions or commands
to offender communication device 120 and to receive data in
response to the transmitted instructions and commands, as described
in further detail below.
[0023] Offender communication device 120 includes communication
devices such as a smart phone or tablet issued to an offender
during a supervisory process. Offender communication device 120 is
a secured device having a tamper resistant cover as well as a
locked down operating system. Offender communication device 120 is
configured to allow jurisdictional control and monitoring of an
offender via communication center 110.
[0024] Offender communication device 120 may be purchased or
borrowed by the offender from a supervisory/correctional system,
such as a correctional facility where the offender was located
prior to a supervisory process. All communications between offender
communication device 120 and outside communication device 130 are
routed via communication center 110. Services for monitoring and
recording communications from/to offender communication device 120
are also performed by communication center 110. Offender
communication device 120 connects to the communication center 110
via network 101. The network 101 includes a Local-Area Network
(LAN), a Wide-Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. In an
embodiment, offender communication device 120 can also connect to
network 101 via cellular tower 122.
[0025] In an embodiment, offender communication device 120 is
configured to store communications, contacts, and/or browser
history, report activity of the offender, and upload this data by
transmitting one or more files, metrics, or metadata at various
periods of time to communication center 120. This data includes
information and/or content of outgoing and incoming communications
as well as location data.
[0026] In an embodiment, offender communication device 120 is
configured to store data such as contacts, call records, browser
history, or other data from the offender's personal wireless device
after sentencing for a period prior to incarceration or generated
and/or purchased while the offender was incarcerated. Further,
offender communication device 120 may be loaded with necessary
support and supervision contact information such as parole or
probation officer numbers or support groups and agencies that may
assist the offender with the before and after incarceration
processes. Support groups may include religious affiliations and/or
approved family and friends. Offender communication device 120 may
also be loaded with scheduling information including time and
location for reporting to a case officer. In an embodiment,
offender communication device 120 may be configured to backup this
data on communication center 110.
[0027] Communication device 130 includes any and all devices such
as a basic telephone 132, a wireless communication device 134, a
work station 136, and/or audio or video communication devices 138,
such as those in a prison. Communication device 130, such as
wireless communication device 134, work station 136, and/or video
communications device 138, is configured to include a camera and a
video screen for generating and viewing a video. Communication
device 130 connects to the communication center 110 via network
103, which may include any or all of a WAN, the Internet, and/or a
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
[0028] In an embodiment, communication system 100 also includes
tracking device 124, which may be a tracking monitor such as an
ankle monitor or a tether commonly used by correctional systems for
house arrest, or geo tracking. In general, tracking device 124 is
configured to transmit location information to communication center
110 such that a location of an offender wearing tracking device 124
is tracked and monitored. As shown by FIG. 1, tracking device 124
is configured to transmit location information to communication
center 110 by way of cellular tower 122 or offender communication
device 120. Tracking device 124 is configured to communicate with
cellular tower 122 through a wireless standard or protocol such as
a third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution
(LTE) communications standard, a fourth generation (4G) mobile
communications standard, or a third generation (3G) mobile
communications standard, various networking protocols such as a
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)
communications standard or a Wi-Fi communications standard.
Further, tracking device 124 is configured to communicate offender
communication device 120 through any of the above mentioned
wireless standard or protocol and/or wireless standards or
protocols such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Z-wave.
Communication Center
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of communication center
200, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Communication center 200 may represent an exemplary embodiment of
communication center 110 of FIG. 1. Communication center 200
includes communication server 202, identity server 204, database
server 206, monitoring server 208, accounting server 210, location
server 212, web server 214, application server 216, and data
storage 220, that are all connected to each other via a network bus
201.
[0030] Each of these servers can be constructed as individual
physical hardware devices, or as virtual servers. The number of
physical hardware machines can be scaled to match the number of
simultaneous user connections desired to be supported in
communication system 100.
[0031] Communication server 202 consists of any number of servers,
and is configured to receive and transmit communications and data
from offender communication device 120 and outside communication
device 130. Communication server 202 supports both real-time and
non-real time communications. Communication server 202 is
configured to perform switching required to electrically connect to
a party, when receiving a communication, and connect to another
party, when transmitting the communication.
[0032] Because there may be a variety of different communication
standards employed by different audio, video, image, and text
devices that wish to participate in communications, in an
embodiment, communication server 202 may also perform format
conversion of the communications. The conversion may convert
incoming communications as needed, or may convert outgoing
communications to be compatible with offender communication device
120, communication device 130, or monitoring server 208. For
example, an audio communication may be generated using offender
communication device 110, and may be listened to on the basic
telephone 132.
[0033] Further, because communication server 202 receives and
transmits communications by way of a network, in an exemplary
embodiment, communication server 202 can decrypt received
communications and encrypt communications prior to transmitting
communications, for security purposes.
[0034] Identity server 204 consists of any number of servers, and
is configured to collect and store identity data of offenders and
users using communication system 100. Identity data includes at
least one of username or password data, audio or voice data,
fingerprint data, facial recognition data (2D or 3D), device data
such as make and model of a communication device, or location data.
Identity server 204 is further configured to facilitate a secure
communication between parties receiving/transmitting a
communication by performing identity verifications by comparing
received information, such as at least one of username or password
information, an audio or voice sample, a fingerprint sample, a
facial recognition sample (2D or 3D), device information such as
make and model of a communication device, or location information,
from one of offender communication device 120 or communication
device 130 with identity data.
[0035] Database server 206 consists of any number of servers, and
is configured to store and organize data in a relational database.
Database server 206 is configured to run a database management
system, such as MYSQL.TM., to provide an example. Databases server
206 organizes the data such that respective identity data,
accounting data, monitoring data, etc., are indexed and linked to
allow communications and billing to organized in a relational
manner.
[0036] Monitoring server 208 consists of any number of servers, and
is configured to determine which communications should be monitored
and transmits the communications to monitoring stations (not shown)
for monitoring purposes. Further, monitoring server 208 is
configured to record or store content of communications as files on
an internal storage or an external storage, as will be explained in
more detail below. Monitoring server 208 determines whether to have
a communication monitored and/or store a communication based on an
identity of the either party involved in the communication, a type
of communication, and/or jurisdiction requirements. In an
embodiment, monitoring server 208 can instruct offender
communication device 120 to record a communication and have the
recorded communication transmitted at a later time. In an
embodiment, monitoring server 208 is configured to transmit a
message to offender communication device 120 and/or communication
device 130 to indicate that a communication is being recorded or
monitored.
[0037] Further, monitoring server 208 is further configured to
manage and schedule monitoring processes of an offender. Monitoring
processes may include scheduling routine check-ins from an offender
via offender communication device 120, requesting random check-ins
of an offender via offender communication device 120, requesting
audio or video samples from offender communication device 120, or
monitoring communications from offender communication device 120.
Monitoring server 208 is configured to transmit instructions to
offender communication device 120 to perform these monitoring
processes.
[0038] In an embodiment, monitoring server 208 is also configured
to determine whether contents of a communication do not follow
requirements of the supervisory program. In doing so monitoring
server 208 is configured to scan text and/or convert audio to text
to evaluate, based on the text, a prior actions or potentially
future actions of the offender. Monitoring server 208 is configured
to alert a case officer depending on the evaluation and/or data
received from any of the servers and/or offender communication
device 120.
[0039] Accounting server 210 consists of any number of servers, and
is configured to perform accounting services for an offender using
offender communication device 120 and for parties involved in a
communication. Accounting server 210 is configured to receive
payment information from offender communication device 120 or
communication device 130, to generate and to organize billing data,
and transmit the billing data to offender communication device 120
or communication device 130. Payments may be for participating in a
communication or for purchases by way of offender communication
device 120.
[0040] Location server 212 consists of any number of servers, and
is configured to receive location and motion data from offender
communication device 120. The location and motion data is used by
location server 212 to determine a current or past location and/or
motion of offender communication device 120. In an embodiment,
location server 212 is configured to store permitted locations that
an offender may be and verify that the offender is in the permitted
location(s) per terms and requirements of the offender's
correctional supervisory program. In an embodiment, location server
212 is also configured to corroborate a location of an offender
based on the location and motion data received from both offender
communication device 120 and tracking device 124. In an embodiment,
location server 212 is configured to corroborate a location of the
offender based on verifying biometric information such as an image,
video, or audio sample from offender communication device 120, in
coordination with identity server 204, to verify that the user is
actually in a current location. In an embodiment, location server
212 is configured to transmit instructions to the offender
communication device 120 to perform one or more of receiving
location and motion data from tracking device 124, corroborating a
current or past location of the offender with received data from
tracking device 124, transmitting received data from tracking
device 124 to location server 212, or transmitting corroborating
information to location server 212. In an embodiment, location
server 212 is configured to transmit information received and/or
results of comparisons are sent to a case officer or administrator
for review.
[0041] Web server 214 consists of any number of servers, and is
configured to run web server software such as Apache and/or
Microsoft Internet Information Server and/or an interactive voice
response (IVR) server software. The primary function of web server
214 is to route requests and other communications from offender
communication device 120 or communication device 130 to an
appropriate destination within communication system 200. In an
embodiment, web server 214 can also serve as a maintenance point
into communication center 200, by which servicing, configuring, and
updating can be performed. In an embodiment, the web server 214 is
configured to provide managing services for generating
communications, receiving instructions from a party to send or
receive communications, and coordinating and scheduling the
transmission of communications. For example, web server 214 can
facilitate a party in generating a non-real time communication when
the party uses a front-end application having a user interface.
[0042] Application server 216 consists of any number of servers,
and functions as the primary logic processing center in
communication center 200. Application server 216 is configured to
manage and facilitate communication between servers, storage and
devices, external to the communication center, such as offender
communication device 120.
[0043] Data storage 220 provides access to a wide variety of data
such as identification of parties involved transmitting and
receiving communications, contents of communications, scheduling
data, and/or any data stored by the servers. Because the data
stored on data storage 220 may consume a significant amounts of
storage space, data storage 220 may include a Network Attached
Storage (NAS) device, which is configured as a mass storage device.
In order to reduce the required size of data storage 220 preferably
includes a backup routine to transfer data to permanent storage
devices, such as archival permanent storage or optical disks, after
a predetermined time has elapsed since the initial recording of
that data.
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates application server 300, according to
embodiments of the present disclosure. Application server 300 may
represent an exemplary embodiment of application server 216
depicted in FIG. 2. Application server 300 consists of any number
of servers, and functions as the primary logic processing center in
communication system 100 or 200. Application server 300 is
configured to manage and facilitate communication between servers
and storage.
[0045] Application server 300 includes one or more central
processing units (CPU) 310 connected via a bus 301 to several other
peripherals. Such peripherals include an input device, such as
keyboard and/or mouse 320, monitor 322 for displaying information,
network interface card 324 and/or modem 326 that provides network
connectivity and communication.
[0046] Application server 300 also includes internal data storage
330. Internal data storage 330 is non-volatile storage, such as one
or more magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs) and/or one or more solid
state drives (SSDs). Internal data storage 330 is used to store a
variety of important files, documents, or other digital
information, such as the operating system files, application files,
user data, and/or temporary recording space.
[0047] Application server 300 also includes system memory 340,
which is preferably faster and more efficient than internal data
storage 330, and is configured as random access memory (RAM) in an
embodiment. System memory 340 contains the runtime environment of
application server 300, storing temporary data for any of operating
system 342, java virtual machine 344, java application server 346,
and communication control logic 348.
Mobile Device
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of mobile device 400,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Mobile device
400 may be an exemplary embodiment of offender communication device
120. Mobile device 400 includes processor circuitry 410 that is
communicatively coupled to plurality of communication interfaces
420, input/output (I/O) circuitry 430, and positional and motion
circuitry 440. Processor circuitry 410 includes one or more
processors 412, circuitry, and/or logic configured to control the
overall operation of mobile device 400, including the operation of
communication interfaces 420, I/O circuitry 430, and positional and
motion circuitry 440. Processor circuitry 410 further includes
memory 414 to store data and instructions. Memory 414 may be any
well-known volatile and/or non-volatile memory that is removable
and/or non-removable.
[0049] Communication interfaces 420 include one or more
transceivers, transmitters, and/or receivers that communicate via
one or more antennas 422. Communication interfaces 420 are
configured to communicate according to one or more communication
standards or protocols such as a 3GPP LTE communications standard,
a 4G mobile communications standard, or a 3G mobile communications
standard, various networking protocols such as a WiMAX
communications standard or a Wi-Fi communications standard.
Communication interfaces 420 are configured to transmit and receive
communications between an offender and a user via a network, such
as network 101.
[0050] In an embodiment, communication interfaces 420 are also
configured to communicate with tracking device 124. In this
embodiment communication interfaces 420 are configured to
communicate with tracking device 124 by way of one or more of the
above described standards and protocols or one or more of a
wireless local area network (WLAN) standard, a near field
communication (NFC) standard, a radio frequency identification
(RFID) standard, infrared (IR) standard, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or
Z-wave standard.
[0051] I/O circuitry 430 includes circuitry such as a keypad, a
touch interface, a microphone, a camera, and/or a video screen for
displaying information. I/O circuitry 430 may be used by a user for
traditional mobile device communications such as audio, video, or
texting communications. I/O circuitry 430 is also configured to
capture audio samples, video samples, fingerprints, etc. for
identity verifications.
[0052] Positional and motion sensors 440 include circuitry for
determining a current location and a change in location of mobile
device 400. Positional and motion circuitry 440 may include such
circuitry as Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, indoor
positioning systems (IPS) technology, accelerometers, and/or
gyroscopes to determine position and motion. Positional and motion
sensors 440 are configured to triangulate a first current location
of mobile device 400 based on signals received from, for example,
positioning systems. Positional and motion sensors 440 are
configured to determine whether mobile device 400 is in motion
based on second location of the mobile device 400 and determining
whether a change of location occurred between the first current
location and the second current location.
System Operations
[0053] Operations of monitoring an offender during a correctional
supervisory program using communication system 100 of FIG. 1 will
be described with respect to FIG. 5. Although the physical devices
and components that form the system have largely already been
described, additional details regarding their more nuanced
operation will be described below with respect to FIGS. 1-4. While
FIG. 5 contains an operation of monitoring an offender during a
correctional supervisory program, the operation is not limited to
the order described below, and various operations can be performed
in a different order. Further, two or more operations of each
method can be performed simultaneously with each other.
[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart diagram of a method 500 for
monitoring an offender during a correctional supervisory program
using communication system 100 of FIG. 1, according to embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0055] The communication system 100 provides communications between
a variety of different devices. For starters, regardless of the
communication type, all communications to/from offender
communication device 120 are transported by way of the
communication center 110.
[0056] A user interface such as a web site, the IVR, or another
interface is managed by, or on behalf of, a correctional facility.
The interface provides an interactive platform for users wanting to
generate, transmit, and receive communications. Accordingly, the
interface's backend links to or communicates with the application
server 216 via the web server 214.
[0057] An operation of monitoring an offender during a correctional
supervisory program starts when a user attempts to initiate a
communication to or from offender communication device 120 (502).
Examples of an attempt to initiate a communication includes an
offender using offender communication device 120 attempting to
initiate a phone or video call or to send a text or email to
someone using communication device 130, or vice versa.
[0058] Once communication center 110 recognizes that an attempt has
occurred, communication center 110 verifies access to communication
system 100 (504). This is done by verifying an identity of a
user(s) of offender communication device 120 and/or communication
device 130. Identity verification is performed by verifying
identity information of a user. Examples of the identity
information include at least one of username or password
information, an audio or voice sample, a fingerprint sample, a
facial recognition sample (2D or 3D), device information such as
make and model of a communication device, or location information.
Offender communication device 120 and/or communication device 130.
Communication center 110 receives and compares the identity
information with identity data stored on identity server 204 to
determine the identity of a user.
[0059] Next a location of the offender is verified (506).
Verification of the offender's location may be performed by
transmitting location information from the offender communication
device 120, such as current or past GPS information, to
communication center 110. In an embodiment, location server 212
verifies that the offender is in a permitted location per terms and
requirements of the offender's correctional supervisory program.
This may be done by comparing the location information with a
designated perimeter that the offender is required to remain
within. In an embodiment, location server 212 corroborates the
location information by requesting biometric information from the
offender, via offender communication device 120, to verify that the
offender is actually in a current location. In an embodiment,
location server 212 corroborates location information by comparing
location In an embodiment, location server 212 corroborates the
location information based a comparison of the location information
from offender communication device 120 with location and motion
data from tracking device 124.
[0060] Once communication center 110 has verified an identity of
one or more of the users and a location of the offender,
communication center 110 connects the offender communication device
120 and the communication device 130 together for a real time
communication or transmits the non-real time (508). The monitoring
server 208 records the communication, real time or non-real time
communications, and provides the communication to a monitoring
station (not shown) for review. During a real time communication,
monitoring server 208 is configured to disconnect or interrupt the
communication if determined that requirements of the offender's
correctional supervisory program are not being followed. For
example, the communication may be disrupted by monitoring server
208 when a reviewer or an officer determines that the offender is
discussing a future crime. By allowing an offender to use offender
communication device 120 according to embodiments of the present
disclosure, the offender has access to a communication device that
may be used by the offender to adapt to society and to have a point
of contact in social and commercial settings. Thus, helping the
offender to avoid recidivism. Further, communication system 100 may
allow an offender to live in areas and/or allow a wider geo fencing
area that are not typically allowed by traditional tracking systems
because offender communication device 120 is able to track
communications by the offender, provides access to video chat or
image recognition to confirm the offender's identity, and/or allow
for confirmation of the offender's location. These benefits may
also be realized due to the corroboration of data and additional
monitoring aspects offered by communication system 100.
Exemplary Computer Implementation
[0061] It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant
art(s) that various elements and features of the present
disclosure, as described herein, can be implemented in hardware
using analog and/or digital circuits, in software, through the
execution of computer instructions by one or more general purpose
or special-purpose processors, or as a combination of hardware and
software.
[0062] The following description of a general purpose computer
system is provided for the sake of completeness. Embodiments of the
present disclosure can be implemented in hardware, or as a
combination of software and hardware. Consequently, embodiments of
the disclosure may be implemented in the environment of a computer
system or other processing system. For example, the method of FIG.
5 can be implemented in the environment of one or more computer
systems or other processing systems. An example of such a computer
system 600 is shown in FIG. 6. One or more of the modules depicted
in the previous figures can be at least partially implemented on
one or more distinct computer systems 600.
[0063] Computer system 600 includes one or more processors, such as
processor 604. Processor 604 can be a special purpose or a general
purpose digital signal processor. Processor 604 is connected to a
communication infrastructure 602 (for example, a bus or network).
Various software implementations are described in terms of this
exemplary computer system. After reading this description, it will
become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to
implement the disclosure using other computer systems and/or
computer architectures.
[0064] Computer system 600 also includes a main memory 606,
preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also include a
secondary memory 608. Secondary memory 608 may include, for
example, a hard disk drive 610 and/or a removable storage drive
612, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an
optical disk drive, or the like. Removable storage drive 612 reads
from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 616 in a well-known
manner. Removable storage unit 616 represents a floppy disk,
magnetic tape, optical disk, or the like, which is read by and
written to by removable storage drive 612. As will be appreciated
by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), removable storage unit
616 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein
computer software and/or data.
[0065] In alternative implementations, secondary memory 608 may
include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other
instructions to be loaded into computer system 600. Such means may
include, for example, a removable storage unit 618 and an interface
614. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and
cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a
removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated
socket, a thumb drive and USB port, and other removable storage
units 618 and interfaces 614 which allow software and data to be
transferred from removable storage unit 618 to computer system
600.
[0066] Computer system 600 may also include a communications
interface 620. Communications interface 620 allows software and
data to be transferred between computer system 600 and external
devices. Examples of communications interface 620 may include a
modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a
communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data
transferred via communications interface 620 are in the form of
signals which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other
signals capable of being received by communications interface 620.
These signals are provided to communications interface 620 via a
communications path 622. Communications path 622 carries signals
and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone
line, a cellular phone link, an RF link and other communications
channels.
[0067] As used herein, the terms "computer program medium" and
"computer readable medium" are used to generally refer to tangible
storage media such as removable storage units 616 and 618 or a hard
disk installed in hard disk drive 610. These computer program
products are means for providing software to computer system
600.
[0068] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are
stored in main memory 606 and/or secondary memory 608. Computer
programs may also be received via communications interface 620.
Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system
600 to implement the present disclosure as discussed herein. In
particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor
604 to implement the processes of the present disclosure, such as
any of the methods described herein. Accordingly, such computer
programs represent controllers of the computer system 600. Where
the disclosure is implemented using software, the software may be
stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer
system 600 using removable storage drive 612, interface 614, or
communications interface 620.
[0069] In another embodiment, features of the disclosure are
implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware
components such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)
and gate arrays. Implementation of a hardware state machine so as
to perform the functions described herein will also be apparent to
persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
CONCLUSION
[0070] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description
section, and not the Abstract section, is intended to be used to
interpret the claims. The Abstract section may set forth one or
more, but not all exemplary embodiments, and thus, is not intended
to limit the disclosure and the appended claims in any way.
[0071] The disclosure has been described above with the aid of
functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of
specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of
these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined
herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries
may be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships
thereof are appropriately performed.
[0072] It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s)
that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the
disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described
exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance
with the following claims and their equivalents.
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